Google is expanding its Identity Check security feature to more Android phones, according to Gadgets360. This feature helps protect your phone and Google account if your device gets stolen. Samsung and OnePlus phones will soon join Google Pixel devices in getting this extra security layer in the coming months with the Android 16 update.
What is Identity Check? Think of it like a security guard for your phone. Even if someone knows your PIN code, they still can’t change important settings without your fingerprint or face scan. The feature was first introduced in December 2024 for Pixel phones and some Samsung devices.
Identity Check protects your phone by requiring your fingerprint or face recognition (what experts call “biometric authentication”) before allowing anyone to change important settings. This works even when the thief knows your PIN code. The protection turns on automatically when you’re not at “trusted places” like your home or work.
Here’s what Identity Check protects:
- Changing your PIN or password
- Turning off theft protection
- Accessing your saved passwords
- Making changes to your Google account
- Accessing important data
Also Read: Google’s new Android security feature auto-reboots locked devices after 3 days, requiring passcodes and encrypting data for stronger protection. Read Here.
Which phones will get Identity Check? The feature is expanding to many Android devices:
- Already have it: Google Pixel phones and Samsung Galaxy devices with Android 15 QPR1 or One UI 7
- Will get it soon: OnePlus phones (including OnePlus 13) and other Android phones with the right hardware
- When: Coming with the Android 16 update in 2025
To use Identity Check, you’ll need to turn it on yourself. Go to Settings > Google > Theft Protection on your phone. The feature needs what’s called “class 3 biometric authentication” – this is the strongest level of fingerprint or face scanning technology. Not all phones have this, which is why only certain devices will get the feature from brands like OnePlus (e.g., OnePlus 13) and Xiaomi via the Android 16 update in 2025.
This new security feature is similar to Apple’s “Stolen Device Protection” for iPhones. Both companies are working to make phones safer as thieves become smarter about stealing not just phones, but also the accounts and information inside them.
Why does this matter to you? Phone theft isn’t just about losing your device anymore. Thieves now try to access your accounts, banking apps, and personal information. Identity Check helps keep your data safe even if your phone is stolen. It’s like having an extra lock that only you can open with your unique fingerprint or face, even if someone has figured out your password.
